Cells rely on precisely organized macromolecules to carry out the complex processes of life. These molecular assemblies function like a finely tuned society—where spatial organization, interactions, and structural dynamics dictate cellular behavior. Understanding this "molecular sociology" is key to uncovering how biological systems function in health and fail in disease.
Our research centers on cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) and advanced in situ imaging technologies, which provide 3D visualization across nanometer to micrometer scales, bridging the gap between cellular and molecular biology. By combining these techniques with AI-based analysis and multi-omics, we map the architecture, organization, and interactions of molecular machines inside cells. This allows us to deconstruct functional modules and reveal the molecular blueprints of life at unprecedented detail.
Technological Innovations for Mesoscale Biology
To extend the frontiers of in situ imaging, we are developing a versatile, multi-modal framework for quantitative molecular landscape analysis at the mesoscale. Our innovations include:
(a) Topological analysis algorithms: Decoding how molecular organization controls function.
(b) Tissue-compatible in situ imaging workflows: Bringing high-resolution structural biology to complex systems.
(c) High-biocontainment EM facilities: Enabling safe imaging of infectious pathogens.
Biological Applications: From Mechanisms to Pathology
Using our in situ imaging toolkit, we explore how molecular architecture drives both physiology and disease processes. Our current focus areas include:
(a) Mechanisms of cellular motility: Assembly and regulation of molecular motors and motility machinery.
(b) Organelle Morphogenesis: Membrane remodeling and compartmentalization.
(c) Nanoscale Structural Pathology: Cryo-ET analysis of disease-associated ultrastructural changes
By combining cutting-edge in situ imaging with analytical approaches, we aim to decode the molecular logic of life—from fundamental mechanisms to therapeutic insights.